Hi Christ4ever yes Paradise is actually where God and Jesus resides. Follow me really fast ill show you. Got to Rev. 2:7 letter to Ephesus points out that the tree of life is in Paradise. Now go to Rev. 22:1,2 Where is the tree of life? See my brothers its not hard with a Concordance, prefferably Strong's, to type a word and study it out. Watch out for thise Bible commentary or Concordance commentary or you will be following other peoples error or at least match up what they say to the Bible, not what the Bible say then to what they say.
See that is where you are wrong c4e. If i was too tell you"Man that woman is taking forever to get dressed, is that literal. Or
With all the love of Christ I'm saying this. Be admonished. Your assumptions which I understand you see as warnings on how people might come by knowledge they have used in replying to you is presumptuous at best. I highly doubt you will even acknowledge this statement, just as you've failed to on my previous posts to you to acknowledge other items brought to your attention concerning comments you have made.
Using your analogy at the end of your post, is apples & oranges. Though appearing to be the same, they are different, because one is of man and the other of God. Here is why you are not only incorrect, but wrong! (Wow, that’s been the most blunt I’ve been on this site.)
If what you say is correct then Eternal/Everlasting life is not what the Word of God says it is. Why you ask? Because the same words are used for eternal judgment, fire, that is used for life. I so wanted to use your own analogy here but deleted it. Instead the following verses show you that eternal as in life and judgment, fire are what they say they are. Yes I do utilize Strong's.
According to Strong's (Greek) 166 defined "
eternal and everlasting (NT)" as follows:
1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
2) without beginning
3) without end, never to cease, everlasting
Dealing with the righteous
duration of life for the believer in Christ: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [36] He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (Jhn 3:15-16, 36 KJV)
Duration of salvation: [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of
eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hbr 5:9 KJV)
Duration of heaven: [1] For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens. (2Cr 5:1 KJV)
Duration of Christ's redemption: [12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption [for us]. (Hbr 9:12 KJV)
Duration of the Spirit's existence: [14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hbr 9:14 KJV)
Duration of the inheritance of the saints: [15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance. (Hbr 9:15 KJV)
Duration of divine glory: [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]. (1Pe 5:10 KJV)
Duration of Christ's kingdom: [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2Pe 1:11 KJV)
Retribution of the wicked
[8] Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast [them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into
everlasting fire. (Mat 18:8 KJV)
[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [46] And these shall go away into
everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life
eternal. (Mat 25:41, 46 KJV)
[29] But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of
eternal damnation: (Mar 3:29 KJV)
[9] Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2Th 1:9 KJV)
[2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. (Hbr 6:2 KJV)
[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire. (Jud 1:7 KJV)
Now, you can rationalize what you want to when it comes to the Bible, even if it is done in a fashion that has some perceived logic, but in essence your arguments hold no validity when taken in context of the entire Bible.
A brother previously posted, basically; what have I lost if I believe in a hell and it doesn’t exist, verses not believing in a hell and there is one? The believer is not damaged by this, for he believes. Yet not telling someone what they are clearly facing according to scripture is doing the unbeliever an injustice and clearly are not providing a complete picture of what is in store for those who are and remain in their position of everlasting punishment.
Acquiesce on "Eternal/Everlasting" in both cases having the same meaning?
To be honest, both sides of the above are quoted from Herbert Lockyer which deals with Biblical Doctrines (I've been reading it on and off for years). Taking nothing for granted, I reviewed each scripture reference he provided to make his point, which I took a step further by including them here for your benefit. Something I do with whatever scripture you or anyone else provides. Easy to lose context to the whole by isolating individual scripture verses.
Remember what we do here, is not only for mutual or individual edification, but for the Glory of God, that all may know His truth in continue to grow in it! Alleluia!
C4E
Yes look at 3857 in Strong's (Greek) Paradise: Park, Eden or place of future happiness. Not necessarily heaven brother. But still rather enjoyable place to be wouldn't you say?
